Tongue-support



(No Model.)

W. L. LANVDON.

TONGUE SUPPORT.

Patented-Nov. 9, 1886.

v INYENTOR.

m "iD'ww ja o'rfi N. PETERS. Phuh' UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM L. LANDQN, OF JERSEY COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

TONGUE-SUPPORT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 352,197; dated November 9, 1886.

Application filed September 10, 1886. Serial No. 213.2 9. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM -L. LANDON, of the county of J ersey, and State of Illinois, have invented a new and Improved Tongue- Supporter; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full and exact descriptionof the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, and'to the letters of reference marked thereon.

My invention consists of an improved tonguesupporter, designed chiefly for reaping and mowing machines, my object being to provide a supporter adapted to trail upon the ground as the machine is drawn forward, in such manner that when the reaper or mower is stopped and then slightly backed, as is usual, for the purposeof freeing the cutter-bar from entanglement with whatever is being cut, the supportwill automatically assume a vertical position, and thus lift and sustain the tongue, relieving the horses of a burden which, without some supporting appliance, they necessarily have to bear. The device by which I accomplish this end is fully explained in the following specification, and illustrated in the ac companying drawing, in which the supporter is represented in connection with that part of the tongue to which it is attached, and inclined as when trailed upon the ground by the forward movement of the machine. The position it assumes, and that to which it lifts the tongue when the machine has been stopped and slightly backed, is shown in dotted lines. In the drawing, g represents a foot-block, preferably of cast-iron, in which is secured a piece of ordinary gas-pipe, A, pierced diametrically near its upper end for the reception of a key or split pin, (2. Adapted to slide 1ongitudinally within this pipe is a smaller one, B, pierced diametrically with a series of equidistant keyways, f, each adapted to coincide, by proper adjustment, with the keyway in the upper part of the larger pipe, so as to admit the key through both.

On the upper end of the pipe B is secured a ball, 0', which plays freely ina corresponding socket, 0. (Shown in section.) This part of my supporter is simply what is commonly known as a ball-and-socket joint, and issecured, as shown in the drawing, to the under side of the tongue a. v

The operation of my device is as follows: The supporter is first adjusted to the required length to suit the height of the tongue by sliding the pipe B within the pipe A until the length of the supporter, when vertical, is such as to sustain the tongue atan elevation,removing all weight from the horses necks when the machine is standing. A key is then inserted in the keywayiu the outer pipe and passed through that hole in the inner pipe most nearly corresponding with the required height of the supporter. that when the machine is drawn forward the supporter will trail upon the ground and be inclined as shown in the drawing. Matters It therefore follows being thus, when the machine is stopped and i then slightly backed, as already explained, the retreat of the upper part of the supporter will bring it to a vertical position, and thus automatically lift and sustain the tongue, as shown in dotted lines.

Having fully described my invention,what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, 1s

In a tongue-supporter, the combination of a pipe, A, having a foot-block, g, and a pipe, B, adapted to slide longitudinally, within said pipe and provided with a series of keyways, f, each adapted to coincide with a keyway in the outer pipe, so as to retain in position longitudinally, by means of a key inserted in said keyway, the inner pipe, the latter being connected with the tongue by a ball-and-socket joint, all constructed and adapted to operate substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand this 14th day of August, 1886.

WILLIAM L. LANDON. 

